Josh Gordon spoke softly beside his locker after weeks of noise that he might be traded.

"I stayed by the phone, just in case," he said today, after the trade deadline passed with him still on the Browns' roster. "Definitely I stayed by the phone."

His agent told him to be on his toes until Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline had passed.

"I had to keep my phone on and make sure I wasn't missing any calls," he said. "If I could find a TV to look at, I would try to see it."

The phone never rang.

"I pretty much expected it, honestly," Gordon said. "I was glad it turned out that way."

"I didn't talk to anybody. I talked to my agent. He said anything's possible going into the last minutes."

Gordon had a big game at Kansas City (five catches, 132 yards, a 47-yard TD) in his first game with new No. 1 quarterback Jason Campbell.

Campbell is becoming a mentor to the second-year pro. He said now that the trade threat has passed, Gordon can get back to "growing as a person and as a player."

"It's definitely a relief," Campbell said. "For him to have that behind him now, he can focus on this season."

In six games, Gordon has caught 32 passes for 582 yards and three touchdowns. He missed the first two games after testing positive for a banned substance.

The suspension and past issues with marijuana use during his college days worry the Browns that his next suspension, if it comes, could be a long one. He also has had trouble as a repeat offender with traffic violations.

Gordon went back and forth between growing as a person and a player. Sometimes, it was hard to tell whether he was talking about the work realm or his personal life.

"I've still got a long way to go in my career, just learning different things, even the perspective of just attacking the game differently, mentally, more like a pro," he said. "As for games, there's always things I can get better. Route running. Protecting the ball."

In what ways is he growing?

"As a person, I feel like really ... just being more patient with the game," he said. "I definitely have to slow down with the pace of the game, the things you do outside of the game ... just like ... be more calm and relaxed.

"As a player, just attack it like you want to be the best at what you're doing, all the time."

At 23, Gordon is the youngest starter on the team. Is he hanging with the right crowd. Are there people in his life who could lead him down the wrong path?

Page 2 of 2 - "I don't believe so," he said. "I don't believe anybody ever tried to or anybody could make me do that. I'm really getting pretty much positive feedback from all the people I talk to.

"Off the field, more people out there recognize who I am. I might not do as much. I stay at home, just stay to myself."

Gordon smiled when asked if he knows his expensive sports car draws attention to him.

"I only drive it some days," he said. "It definitely draws attention. Other days, I drive a car that's less attractive looking (smiling again)."

Gordon is the Browns' unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver heading into a game against Baltimore.

The Browns need a win to avoid sinking to 3-6. Gordon's personal vision for the rest of his season?

"Try to help us get as many wins as possible," he said. "And I want to end up in a playoff game."